Norwegian lawmakers Baard Vegard Solhjell and Snorre Valen nominated National Security Agency leaker Edward Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize via their party website on Wednesday.

"There is no doubt that the actions of Edward Snowden may have damaged the security interests of several nations in the short term. We do not necessarily condone or support all of his disclosures," they said. "We are, however, convinced that the public debate and changes in policy that have followed in the wake of Snowden's whistleblowing has contributed to a more stable and peaceful world order. His actions have in effect led to the reintroduction of trust and transparency as a leading principle in global security policies. Its value can't be overestimated."

Nominations for this year's Nobel Peace Prize close on Saturday and the winner is announced in October.

"The level of sophistication and depth of surveillance that citizens all over the world are subject to, has stunned us, and stirred debate all over the world. By doing this, he has contributed critical knowledge about how modern surveillance and intelligence directed towards states and citizens is carried out," a statement by the Norwegian lawmakers said.

Snowden is living in Russia, where he was granted one year of asylum last June. In the United States, he faces charges of espionage and theft of government property over the leaking of details of spy programs.

Professor Stefan Svallfors said that giving Snowden the Nobel Prize could "save the prize from the disrepute incurred by the hasty and ill-conceived decision" to give the award to Barack Obama in 2009, which was highly unpopular.

U.S. whistleblowers presented Snowden with the Sam Adams Award for "Integrity in Intelligence" in Moscow, which former CIA analyst Ray McGovern said "is a candlestick holder for someone, who has shone bright light into dark corners."

The German branch of Transparency International awarded Snowden its Whistleblower Award and a Swedish sociology professor also nominated Snowden for the Nobel Peace Prize for his "heroic effort at great personal cost."